The pudu, the world’s smallest deer, is so small it could fit in your backpack.
Image credit: Lee Fisher/Detroit Zoological Society
If you are a fan of cute and tiny animals, you might want to learn more about the pudu, the world’s smallest deer. The pudu is a genus of two species of South American deer that live in the Andes mountains and nearby forests. The name “pudu” comes from the language of the Mapuche people, the indigenous inhabitants of south-central Chile and southwestern Argentina.
There are two species of pudus: the northern pudu and the southern pudu. The northern pudu lives in the Andes Mountains of Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador, while the southern pudu lives in the southern Andes of Chile and Argentina. The northern pudu is slightly smaller than the southern pudu, but both are smaller than a dog. The northern pudu stands only 32 to 35 cm (13 to 14 in) tall at the shoulder and weighs 3.3 to 6 kg (7.3 to 13.2 lb).
Image credit: Jaime E. Jimenez, Laboratorio de Ecología, Universidad de Los Lagos
Pudus have a compact, rounded body, thin legs, and short spike-like antlers. Their coat is dark brown and thick, which helps them survive in the cold and rainy climate of their habitat. Both species have short, spike-like antlers that grow to about 6 cm (2.4 in) long and curve backward. They have small ears, a short tail, and a cute face that will melt your heart.
Pudus are shy and secretive animals that prefer to live alone or in pairs. They mark their territory with scent glands and avoid predators by hiding in dense vegetation. They feed mainly on grasses and herbs, but also eat fruits, seeds, and mushrooms. They are very agile and can jump over obstacles and climb trees to escape predators.
Image credit: Mats Lindh
Pudus mate once a year and have a gestation period of about 200 days. They usually give 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to one fawn, which is unspotted and stays with its mother until it is one year old. The fawns are able to walk shortly after 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 and can run faster than their parents.
The pudus are threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and predation by dogs, foxes, pumas, and eagles. They are also susceptible to diseases transmitted by livestock. So don’t try to smuggle a cute 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 like this one home!
Image credit: Rodrigo Fernández
The pudus are amazing animals that deserve our respect and protection. They are not only the world’s smallest deer, but also one of the most adorable and fascinating creatures on Earth. If you ever have a chance to see one in person, don’t miss it. You will be enchanted by their charm and beauty.
Sources: 1, 2, 3
